Electric meter protecting cabinet



May 19, 1931. I SACHS 1,805,724

ELECTRIC METER PROTECTING CABINET Filed Jan. '7. 1927 INVENTOR i Joseph Sachs #34 72% A'R'TORNEY Patented May 19, 1931 JOSEPH SACHS, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT ELECTRIC PRCTECTITIG CABINET Application filed January 7, 1927.

The invention relates to a box or cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling aapliance such as is commonly used for house entrance equipment in association with an electric meter. In an installation of this type, an opening is commonly provided in one wall of the cabinet, usually the upper end wall thereof, the said opening being large enough to protectively fit the terminal chamber portion of an electric meter, so that the cabinetthus serves not only to enclose and protect the appliance therein but also serves to protect the meter and the connections extending between the appliance and the meter.

As commonly constructed the terminal. chamber portions of the meters of different standard makes are of different sizes, and in accordance with prior common practice the adaptation of an appliance enclosing cabinet to the many different shapes and sizes of meter terminal chambers was accomplished by making each end wall, or at least a portion of it, removable so that it could be taken out and substituted by any one of many other end walls or portions of end walls each having a different shape of opening cut in it to fit some particular meter terminal chamber. This has been the common way of connecting a given switch cabinet to any kind of meter terminal chamber, but this way is expensive, particularly for the manufacturer of the cabinets who must not only make all these specially out parts but must also tie up.

his capital in keeping in stock the whole assortment, and it involves a like expense on the dealers and installers of these boxes for the same reason.

It frequently happens that the cabinet, Jlilll the appliance enclosed therein, is in stalled before the meter is installed and in such a case it is desirable to keep the opening in the cabinet entirely closed to exclude dirt and to prevent tampering with the enclosed appliance. It has been common prior practice to initially provide each cabinet with a plain end wall having no opening therein, and to remove this plain end wall and substitute one having the required meter opening at the time of installation of the meter. This practice has been troublesome and expensive.

Serial No. 159,584.

Furthermore, upon discontinuance of service, it has been the practice to remove the meter, leaving the cabinet with its appliance in place. In such a case, it has ordinarily been necessary either to leave the opening in the cabinet entirely uncovered with consequent loss of protection or to malre special provision for closing the opening by substituting a plain end wall or by adding some supplemental closure.

7 In my copending application for electric meter protecting cabinets, Serial No. 532,449 filed Jan. 28, 1922, I have disclosed a construction which includes one or more interchangeable shutters adapted to be removably but non-adjustably associated with a cabinet end wall so that the fi8Ctl"e size of the opening therein may be changed to suit the size of the terminal chamber of any one of several different meters. In my copending application for electric meter protecting cabinet, Serial No. 49,896 filed Aug. 13, 1925, I have disclosed a construction wherein a single shutter means is adjustably associated with a cabinet end wall so that the single shutter by being adjusted serves to'change the eifective size of the opening to suit the size of the terminal chamber of any one of several different meters. The last said application also discloses a means supplemental to the shutter means for entirely closing the meter opening when necessary.

The present invention constitutes an improvement upon the constructions disclosed in the aforesaid prior applications, and one of the objects of the invention is to provide an end wall construction having a shutter means so constructed and arranged as to serve not only to change the effective size of the opening but also, in and of itself, to entirely close the opening.

Further objects of the invention areto provide certain improved arrangements of parts and details of construction whereby the aforesaid general object is attained and other important advantages obtained.

In the accompanying drawings, I have shown the embodiment of the invention which I now deem preferable, but it will be understood that the drawings are intended for illustre-tive purposes only and is not to be construed as defining or limiting the scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of this Specification being relied upon for that purpose.

Of the drawings Figure l is a perspective view of a cabinet embodying the invention, together with a meter in cooperative association therewith.

Fig. 2 is anexterior fragmentary perspective view showing the upper part of the cabinet as it appears With'the opening therein entirely closed.

Fig. 3 is an interior fragmentary perspective view showing the upper part of the cabinet as it appears when associated with a meter,the lower portion of the meter also being shown i Fig. l is a fragmentary sectional view taken along the line 4t-4 of Fig. 8, the meter being omitted and the cover beingshown.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the shutter means with the parts thereof in the relative positions which they assume when the meter opening is to be entirely closed.

Fig. 6 is a View similar to Fig. 5 showing the shutter means with the parts thereof in the relative positions which they assume to partly obstruct the main opening and reduce the effective size thereof so as to adapt it for receiving the terminal chamber of a relatively small meter.

7 is a View similar to 5 showing the shutter means with the parts thereof in the relative positions which they assume to leave the main opening entirely unobstructed.

Referring to the drawings, 1 represents a box or cabinet of any usual or preferred type adapted for enclosing an electric circuit con trolling appliance. The cabinet as shown is formed of sheet metal and is provided with an openable front cover 2 which may be ing handle 4 located outside of the cabinet.-

type of the appliance 3.

hinged to th'e'bottom wall. In F 1, the cover 2 is'partly broken away to show the circuit controlling appliance within the cabmet, this appliance beingindicated at 3 and as shown it is a fused switch with an operat- It will be understood that I do not limit myself as concerns the particular form or In order to'pre vent unauthorized access to any of the parts within the cabinet l'suitable' provision is made for sealing the cover 2 in closed position, such a sealing means being indicated at 5 in Fig. 1. V I

One' wall of the cabinet is providedw'ith an opening for approximately fitting for protective purposes the terminal chamber portion of an electric meter. As shown in the drawings, the top end wall 6 is so provided, the opening being indicated at 7. The

electric meter is indicated at M, this meter having a terminal chamber portion M which is adapted to project into the opening 7. It will be observed that the connections G extending between the appliance 3 and the meter M are located entirely within the cabinet so as to be entirely enclosed therein and protected thereby when the cover 2 is closed and sealed.

usting the width of the opening 7, thus making it necessary to only providemeans for adjusting the effective depth of the said opening. As shown in Figs. 1 and 3 of the drawings, the terminal chamber portion M of the meter M enters the opening 7 so as to completely occupy the width thereof. It will be understood that other meters with different terminal chambers would enter the opening to greater or less extents, but that ineach case the terminal chamber portion of the meter, by being entered more or less, can be made to occupy the entire width of the opening.

lVhile the terminal chamber portions of the different meters can be made to occupy the entire width of the opening as stated, the

said terminal chamber portions vary greatly in depth and special provision must be made for changing the effective depth of the opening to accommodate the different meters. For this purpose and in accordance with the 'eneral object of the invention, 1 provide the end Wall 6 with a shutter means 8 which serves not only to change the effective depth of the opening but which also serves when desired to entirely close the opening, thus serving to protect the parts within the boX even when the meter is not in place. The shutter means 8 which I provide is'movably connectible with the main body or plate of the end wall 6 and it is so constructed that in one position it serves to entirely close the said opening 7 and in another positionleaves the said opening at least partly unobstructed for receiving and approximately fitting the terminal portion of a meter. For this pur- 1 L .L Q 1 pose, the shutter means 81s pieiei. ably bodily reversible, occupying one position as. shown in 2 to entirely close th opening 7 and occupying a reversed position as shown in Fig. 3 to leave'the opening 7 partly unob, structed to receive the terminal portion of a meter.

In order to provide asuitable range of variation of the effective depth of the opening 7 and in order to obtain other advantages, I prefer to construct the shutter means 8 .with two separate parts or shutters, one of which is adjustable with respect to the other. I

As preferred and as illustrated, there is a dition to the mai shutter 9, there r an tongues and notches prevent the main shutter 9 having an opening 10 therein of approximately same size as the opening 7 in the mam one. wall plate 6. in adiary shutter 11 which is ad ustable wit spect to the shutter 9.

lVhen the parts are in the position to en tirely close the op ning 7 shown in 2, the auxiliary shutter 11 is so local o. in relation to the main shutter 9 as to partly cover the opening 10 therein. The relationship between the two shutters is clearly shown in Fig. 5. The two shutters in the rm nonship shown serve when properly assen'i'oled with the main end wall plate 6 to entirely close the opening '2' therein.

l Vhen it is desired to use the meter opening 7 and to adapt the effective size thereof to suit a particular meter, the shut e means as a whole is reversed from the position shown in Fig. 2 to the position shown in Fig. 3. At the same time, the aux iliary shutter 11 is adjusted with respect to the main shutter 9 so as to cover a smaller portion of the opening 10 as shown in Fig. 5 or so as to leave the opening; 10 entirely uncovered as shown in Fig. 7. Preferably and as shown, the auxiliary shuiter isreversed with respect to the main shutter. With the shutter means as a whole bodily reversed and with the auxiliary shutter located'in relation to the main shutter iii-the position shown in Fig. 6, or in the position shown in Fig. 7, or in some intermediate position, the shutter means is assembled with the main end wall plate f as shown in Fig. 3. It will he observed that the eil'ective depth of the meter opening 7 is determined by the position of the inner edge of the aux-- iliary shutter 11.

The means for holding the main and auriliary shutters in proper relationship with each other may be varied but 1 prefer and have shown tongues or projections 12 and 18 on the auxiliary shutter and two ies of JUL notches 14, 14-. and 15, 15 in the main shutter 9 adapted to receive the said tongues. I will be seen that, when the two shutters are separated from the other parts of the structure, the relationship between the two shutters can be easily changed and that the said shutt' from relative movement so as they re main in face to face contact with each other. For locating the shutter means as a whole with respect to the main end wall plate 6, the said plate is preferably provided with suitable holding means, such as lugs 16, 16 and 17, 17 which may be formed integrally with the main body of the said. plate. These lugs are so arranged and shaped as to permit the shutter means to pass between the inner hold the auxiliary shutter 11 in face to face contact with the main body of the plate and also serve to hold the main shutter 9 in face to face contact with the auxiliary shutter 11. The lugs thus serve not only to prevent lateral movement of the shutter means as whole, but they also serve to hold the two .inet has been, for convenience, termed the end wall, but without intended limitation to its relation to the rest of the box. This wall is preferably removably attached to the cabinet body so that it can be taken out when the meter connections are being made. This is desirable as a matter of convenience, and the same convenience will obviously be served whether the whole end wall of the cabinet is removed, or merely a part or section of it. In the present case, the whole wall marked 6, is removable and is connected to the cabinet side walls by means which enable the removal to be easily made.

This connection comprises the ribs lugs 18 pressed into the cabinet side walls which fit corresponding grooves and holes 19 formed in the side flanges 20 of the end wall. The wall can only be removed by opening the cover. As illustrated, screws are also used, as shown at 21, to secure the end wall in place. This means of attachment in accordance with the disclosure of m 1 prior Patent 1,458,728, but other wall connections may also be used. When only a section of the whole wall is removable corresponding provisions can of course be made for the secure attachment of the removed portion, so that the connections to the meter be made without the inconvenience which the presence of the wall would produce; but as above stated the removabilit-y of the end wa l. is preferably only and. not essential to obtain the principal benefits of the invention.

For the purpose of this specification the claims a partof a wall, less than the whole wall, is included within the term end wall, and the said term is used to elude not only the main end wall plate L .i also the shutter means associated therewith.

What I claim is:

1. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing; a current controlling appliance and having an openable front cover, the combination of a main end wall plate separate from the cover and normally held in fixed position in the cabinet when the cover is opened, the said plate having a meter open ing therein, shutter means and means for relat-ively movably connecting the shutter means and with the main plate to enable thesaid means in one position to entirely close the said opening and in another position to leave the said opening at least partly unobstructed for ap proximately fitting the terminal portion of an electric meter. i I

2. Fer ari electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance and having an openable front cover, a box end wall freely removable from the box body to facilitate meter connections, the saidend wall comprising in combinations. main end wall plate separate. from the cover and normally hole in fixed position in the cabinet when the cover is opened, the said plate having a meter opening therein, shutter means, and means for relatively movably connecting the said shutter means directly with the main plate to enable the said means in one position to entirely close the said opening and in another position to leave the said opening at least partly unobstructed for approximately fitting theterminal portion of an electric meter.

3. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance and having an openable front cover, he combination of a main end wall, plate separate from the cover and normally held in fixed position in thecabinet when the cover is opened, the said plate having a meter opening therein, a shutter, and means for relatively movably connecting the said shutter with the main plate and enabling it.

1 is opened, the said plate having a meter opening therem, a shutter, and means for rela-' tively movably connecting the shutter with the main plate and enabling it to'be bodily reversible with respect thereto, the said shutter in one position serving to entirely closethe said opening. and in the reversed position leavin the said oaenin at least aartl unobstructed for approximately fitting the terminal portion of an electric meter, andthe said shutter in each position extending to the front of the end wall so to be adapted to be engaged and held by the front cover of the cabinet.

5; In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance and having an open'able front cover, the combination of a main end Wall plate se arate from the cover and normally held in fixed position in the cabinet when the cover is opened, the said plate having a meter opening therein, shutter means, and means for relatively movably connecting the said shutter means with the main plate to enable the said means in one position to entirely close the said opening and in each of a plurality of other positions to leave the said opening unobstructed to a desired extent for approximately fitting a correspondingly dimensioned terminalportion of one of a plurality of electric meters.

6. For an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controllingappliance, and having an openable front cover, a box end wall freely removable from the cabinet body to facilitate meter connec-' tions, the said end wal comprising incombination a main end wall plate separate trom' the cover and normally held 1n fixed position 111 the cabinet when the cover is opened, the

said plate having a meter opening therein,

vshutter means, and means for relatively movably connecting the said shutter means directly with the main plate to enable the said means in one posltion to entirely close the said opening and in each of a plurality of other positions to leave the said opening unobstructed to a desired extentfor' approximatelv fittin a correspondingly dimensioned terminal portion of one of a plurality of-electric meters.

7. In an electr c meter protectingcabmet adapted'lor enclosing a current controlling;

appliance and having an openable front cover, the combination of a main end wall plate separate from the cover and normally held in fixed positlon n the cabinet when the cover is opened, the said plate having a meter:

opening therein, a shutter, and means for relatively movably connecting the said shutter means with'the main plate and enabling it to be bodily reversible with respect thereto, the said shutter means in one posi 'tion serving to entirely close the said opening and in each of plurality of'reversed positionsleaving the said opening unobstructed to a desired extent for approximatelyfitting 'a correspondingly dimensioned terminal;

portion of one lot a plurality of electric meters. Q

8. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, the combination of a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter having both of its-parts structurally separate from the main plate, and means for connectingthe shutter with the main plate, the said means permitting the adjustment of one part of the shutter relatively to the other to chan e the effective size of the said meter opening. j c

9. For an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, a boX end wall freely removable from the cabinet body to facilitate meter connections, the said end wall comprising in combination a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter having both of its parts structurally separate from the main plate, and means for con necting the shutter with the main plate, the said means permitting the adjustment of one p art of the shutter relatively to the other to change the effective size of the said meter opening.

10. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, the combination of a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter having both of its parts structurally separate from the main plate, and means for connecting the shutter with the main plate, the said means permitting the reversal of one part of the shutter relatively to the other to change the effective size of the said meter opening.

11. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, the combination of a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter having one part adjustable relatively to the other to change the eilective size of the said meter opening, and means for connecting the shutter with the main plate and for preventing relative adjustment of the two parts of the said shutter when so connected.

1% in an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, the combination of a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter having one part adjustable relatively to the other to change the effective size of the said meter opening, the said parts being provided respectively with positively interengaging means preventing relative adjustment when the two parts are in face to face engagement with each other, and'means for connecting the shutter with the main plate with one part in face to face engagement therewith and with the other part in face to face engagement with the first part.

13. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, the combination of a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter having one part a-djnstable relatively to the other to change the effective size of the said meter opening, the said parts being provided respectively with positively interengaging means preventing relative adjustment when the two parts are in face to face engagement with each other with one of the said parts extending to the front of the end wall so as to be adapted to be engaged and held by the front cover of the cabinet, and means for connecting the he said proximately ntting tie an electric meter and one U ad)" able relativei change the effective size 4 pening.

15. In an electric me 'pted' for enclosin current Centre g nee, the ccien of a box endwall irom the cabinet body to cii ate maze" ns, the said end wall ceniprisin in combination a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, twopart shi tter d means for connectinc re main plate and enabln eversible with respect thereto, '11 o posltionserving to entirely ening and in the reversed i g the said opening at least b ted for approximately fl"- ting the terminal portion of an electric meter and one part f the shutter being adjustable relatively other to change the effective size of the said meter opening.

16. In an electric meter protecting cabinet adapted for enclosing a current controlling appliance, the combination of a main end wall plate having a meter opening therein, a two-part shutter,and means for connect ing the shutter with the main plate and enabling it to be bodily reversible with respect thereto, the shutter in one position serving to entirely close the said opening and in the reversed position leaving the said opening at least partly unobstructed for approximately a t of the shutter to the other to f the said meter protecting cabinet v fitting the terminal portion of an electric meter and one part of the shutter being reversible relatively to the other to change the effective size of the said meter opening.

JOSEPH SACHS. 

